Nikolaevka in Crimea: characteristics of the resort, attractions, travel and accommodation

When people talk about holidays in the Crimea, first of all, the resorts of the southern coast of the peninsula come to mind: Yalta, Alushta, Sudak and others. However, the huge advantage of the Crimea is that it is surrounded by the sea from almost all sides, and although the subtropical climate is only in the south, sometimes it makes no sense to chase it. The sea and a little to the north will be just as warm, but the influx of tourists will turn out not so desperate, which means that you can count on less "biting" prices.

Considering that the size of the peninsula is not so large, you can quickly and easily go on excursions to any interesting places, therefore, less promoted cities and villages should be considered as the main stay. Nikolaevka can be considered one of the most underrated coastal villages.

Perhaps, Nikolaevka is a typical resort village, until which the crazy money of investors has yet to reach, able to turn it into a first-class resort, but tourists who prefer to relax at reasonable prices have already arrived. It cannot be said that there is no infrastructure at all - it is there, and continues to develop, it just so happened that attention in Nikolaevka began to be paid more and more often precisely in recent years.

This is not surprising - after the Simferopol airport became insanely busy, and the Russians first became interested in the Crimean destination, many of the "old" resorts were clogged and raised prices.Nikolaevka was not popular at that time, but had the ability to receive an additional number of tourists, and it is also much closer to Simferopol than many other resorts.

Today it is a small urban-type settlement with a population of less than 3 thousand people, which offers good prospects. It attracts sand and pebble beaches and the gentle sea, because in recent years, young people have been drawing more and more actively to it. There is every reason to believe that the matter will not be limited to the existing amusement park - soon there will be a lot of other infrastructure that will turn Nikolaevka into a real resort. It makes sense to go here now, until prices soared to the level of Yalta.

Perhaps the only thing in which Nikolaevka is great at losing to all the other popular resorts of the peninsula and will never be able to catch up with them is history. Most modern cities on the southern coast of Crimea have ancient roots, but this did not affect Nikolaevka in any way - it was founded after the Crimean War, in 1858. However, even one and a half centuries of architectural monuments were not left, because the village was founded by retired sailors who initially lived here in ordinary dugouts.

Despite the fact that the village grew rapidly, it remained just a village for too long, and received the status of an urban-type settlement only in 1988.

Most likely, if you came here, it means that you are not so interested in additional excursions, and you just want to lie on the beach. The peculiarity of Nikolaevka is that all the beaches in its vicinity are composed of a mixture of sand and pebbles of various fractions, but this does not mean that they are all the same. They differ both in quality and in appearance: some of them are narrow, with an abundance of stones, and propped by high rocks, others are relatively wide.

If you are looking for the most popular beach, go to the one that is called Central - It is in great demand, as there is a lot of space here, and admission is free. Another thing is that the lack of entry fees has a somewhat negative impact on the infrastructure - the beach is not too neat, although typical beach rides are located here.

There is also a beach that is located at the recreation center "Skiff", - here the arrangement is already much better, for example, there are convenient descents to the water, there are equipped changing rooms and a functioning shower. Of course, there are absolutely wild beaches - there is no a priori infrastructure, but there is no constant flow of people either. If you are looking for just such a vacation, go to the northern part of Nikolaevka - it is quiet and often deserted there, but it is here that the beaches are narrow, and you need to go down to them along steep cliffs.

Large underwater boulders are sometimes found at the bottom, because of which you can stumble, but in general it consists of the same mixture of pebbles with sand.

In good weather, the water off the coast of Nikolaevka looks very clean and transparent, but in fact, clay rocks form a significant part of the bottom structure. Because of this, in the presence of waves even of medium size, the sea already seems much more dirty, and not everyone will want to climb into it.

Crimean resorts are well-promoted as subtropical - northerners massively come here to personally observe palm trees and bask in the rays of the southern sun. However, the described conditions apply only to the Southern coast of Crimea, which is protected from the northern winds by the chain of the Crimean mountains, but this does not apply to Nikolaevka. Of course, this is still south, and summers are very hot - even more so than in the neighboring subtropics, but here the end of spring and the beginning of autumn can no longer be called a definitely holiday season.

Surrounded by land from the Crimean bare steppe, Nikolaevka is open to the influx of sultry air masses throughout the summer. The air temperature in the second half of summer exceeds 25-27 degrees, and this refers to the average daily value, that is, during the day it will be stably above 30 degrees. Except a slight breeze from the Black Sea, because a little restrain the heat, because this land is not spoiled by rains - however, for a beach holiday this is more a plus than a minus.

In the summer, the water warms up to about 22-24 degrees. The coastal areas of the sea are rather shallow, which not only promotes relaxation with children, but also allows the sea to warm up faster. Throughout the summer, water, as vacationers like to say, is “fresh milk”, however, there is no longer anything like a typical Crimean velvet season here.

If you are still not very afraid of cold water and are ready to come to the sea at the very beginning or end of the season to save some money, please note that It is better to visit Nikolaevka in the early autumn, but not in the late spring.

After summer, warmth lingers here for a short while, the village and its environs “cool down”, and this can be used, but even in May and partially June you can get on relatively cold weather. As for the late autumn, winter, and most of spring, there’s no point in going to Nikolaevka for the sake of the sea - it turns out that this resort is too northern for such a vacation.

Due to its short history, Nikolaevka is deprived of special attractions, and the fact that it is located at a certain distance from the Crimean mountains only aggravates the situation - after all, there are no plain Crimean landscapes here.

Perhaps the main attraction where you can go, since you are here, is aquarium "Black Sea". Contrary to its name, it is able to show some underwater inhabitants that are not found in the waters of the Black Sea - for example, the same piranhas. The establishment is located in the basement, and you should not expect the best aquariums from the village aquarium, but you should not despise this place in advance - the fish tanks are up to the ceiling, and the species diversity is not bad.

Since Nikolaevka, like many other places in the Crimea, is inextricably linked with sailors, and St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is considered to be an intercessor, the main religious memorial of the village is the temple of the same name.

For such a small village that does not have a long resort history, the mere fact of having an amusement park is already a great achievement. Naturally, you should not expect any unique and outstanding attractions here, but since there is absolutely nothing to compete with this amusement park, all the guests of Nikolaevka, especially those who come with children, come here without fail.

As with many other coastal settlements, Nikolaevka has its own promenade. Such places have traditionally attracted the attention of vacationers, since here within walking distance of beaches, you can admire the sea, in addition, it is here that the main cafes and restaurants for vacationers are located.

Like it or not, it turns out that for adults within Nikolaevka, the most interesting “sights” will nevertheless be precisely the beaches and the sea. If you still want something more, you have to get out of the village. The simplest option is to go explore the surrounding area. Especially for such purposes, you can rent a bike, mini ATV or horse, for lovers of boat trips are also available boats. A little away from the village, local instructors will teach you all kinds of surfing.

Nevertheless, even these "bonuses" will not allow you to have an effective and fun vacation in Nikolaevka for too long - sooner or later it will simply get bored. Then the traditional approach of the majority of tourists vacationing in the Crimea in small settlements comes to the rescue - field trips. From the fact that it is located relatively close, it is worth paying attention to the Scythian ancient settlement, which can be reached in about an hour, and is quite famous crying rock waterfall.

A good option can also be a trip to one of the neighboring major cities, where there may be sights, and resort infrastructure, much higher than Nikolaev. For example, to Sevastopol from Nikolaevka 69 kilometers, they can be overcome in a maximum of one and a half hours. Evpatoria is even closer - it is only 53 kilometers away, which is quite possible to drive even in an hour or so.

Unfortunately, all the other large (except Simferopol) and interesting cities located on the South Bank are located at a noticeably greater distance. For example, to Alushta 98 ​​kilometers, to Yalta - 135 kilometers, to Sudak - 146 kilometers. Of course, you can go to them too, but then you need to expect that the road there and back will take at least four hours.

Truly chic restaurants in Nikolaevka have not yet appeared - establishments of this type will not be in demand here, however, this does not mean that there is nowhere to eat. In the summer season, a significant part of local residents are closely involved in catering, opening numerous cafes. There is any cuisine here, but a local peculiarity is that many local food establishments pay great attention to Ukrainian cuisine, which for guests from afar can be a curiosity.

The main share of catering establishments is located along the promenade, and there you can choose to your taste - we only single out a few establishments that are in significant demand from customers and collect mostly positive reviews.

• Cafe "Three friends". This establishment is located in the very center of the village, and will be interesting mainly to those guests who are used to eating varied, but familiar food. For a small village like Nikolaevka, the presence in one cafe of dishes of European and Oriental cuisine, including barbecue dishes and already familiar sushi - this is a very serious approach.

• Restaurant "Colomia". Those who want real color should definitely look here. The institution is named after a relatively small town in the Carpathian region and inside is decorated in the style of an old Ukrainian hut with all the attributes, including embroidered rushnyk and clay utensils. Naturally, Ukrainian cuisine is presented in an extensive assortment of dishes, but the menu is not limited to them - for example, Russian cuisine is also there.

• Cafe "Riviera". This place is designed not so much for those people who are looking for outstanding service, but for hungry visitors who would like to eat tasty and satisfying, without spending crazy money. The emphasis in the work of this institution is on the constant flow of visitors, because dishes are prepared quickly and in large volumes, and you can have a great lunch for only a few hundred rubles.

• The dining room of the cooperative "Skiff". Despite the prejudice of many vacationers to establishments called canteens, this place is organized quite qualitatively. If you look at the reviews, then this place is praised for the fact that local dishes are strikingly reminiscent of home cooking - perhaps there are no overseas dishes, but you literally feel like you were a child as if you came back to your grandmother.

• Dining room "Khatinka". Another catering establishment, focusing on the Ukrainian flavor. Incidentally, it is this dining room that is considered the largest in the village, and this is due not only to the advantageous center position or the impressive size of the dining room, but also to the wide range of dishes on offer.

The largest city closest to Nikolaevka on the map is the Crimean capital Simferopol, and this, of course, has an extremely good effect on the tourist development of the village. The distance between the two points is only 42 kilometers, and in this sense, the coastal village is indeed, if not the nearest, then one of the closest resorts on the coast.

Such an important importance of Simferopol as a transfer point is due to the fact that it is not only the capital of the republic, but also remains the only air gate of the peninsula. This is where the final destination for most buses coming from the continent and from different parts of the peninsula itself is located.

As for the airport, during the peak season it serves about 70 destinations, and although they connect Simferopol only with Russian cities, there is a state program for flights that allows low-income citizens to fly at a discount. In many ways, it is such passengers who rush to relatively inexpensive Nikolaevka.

Bus service is regular - despite the small size of the village, in the summer buses go here at intervals of half an hour to two hours throughout the day. In addition, local authorities understand the principle of direct connection of Nikolaevka not just with Simferopol, but also with its airport, because there are also buses departing directly from the airport terminal, and not from the traditional Kurortnaya bus station.

Travel time is not more than an hour, but the cost is better to check on the spot - approximately a trip will cost 120 rubles.

In addition, many Russians after opening the Crimean bridge prefer to come to Crimea in their own car - this is especially true for residents of the adjacent Krasnodar Territory. It should be noted here that Nikolaevka is not very convenient in this regard - it is much more removed from the Crimean bridge than the bulk of the Crimean resorts. The distance from Kerch, located at the exit from it, to Nikolaevka is 253 kilometers, such a trip will take approximately 4.5-5 hours.

But you are unlikely to get lost on the route - first you follow the signs that all the main cities of Crimea are written on, until you get to Feodosia, after which you begin to focus on Simferopol. It is necessary to leave the capital of Crimea in the direction of Sevastopol, and there almost immediately outside the city there will be a turn to the right.On the last leg of the route, from Simferopol to Nikolaevka, there will be no major cities, the village itself is the end of the road, and although it is mostly direct, it is better to navigate along the tracker or clarify the route with local residents.

Despite the fact that the "big" tourism in Nikolaevka was just beginning to develop, the locals had already managed to catch a new trend, and therefore there should not be any problems with the settlement here. There are already all types of housing here: you can rent guest houses in the private sector, settle in a boarding house or a recreation center with full board, choose an expensive hotel on the beach with a pool or a romantic boathouse.

At the same time, a significant part of the choice falls on the private sector - the most inexpensive segment, where it is quite possible to stay literally for several hundred rubles per person per night. The demand among visitors to this resort is often appropriate - they are looking for affordable housing that would match the amenities of Nikolaevka, and did not require large expenses.

In principle, a budget tourist should understand that at a minimum cost the amenities will be appropriate - for example, rooms can be designed for a large number of people, and you either travel in a large company, or pay for empty beds, or live with strangers on the basis of a hostel . The same toilet and shower for each room is not provided for in the cheapest options - according to the wording popular in this business, it is located “on the floor”. However, everything is not always so modest.

For instance, Some guest houses, clearly categorized as budget ones, can provide rooms of different classes and levels of comfort. Has gained some popularity mini-hotel “33 pleasures”, located just five minutes walk from the beach - you can stay literally for five hundred rubles in a room with the above conditions, or you can be generous and rent a room for about a thousand rubles - then the conditions will be completely different. With such budget planning, it turns out that your room has its own shower and toilet, and the best rooms are also equipped with air conditioning, allowing you to comfortably survive the hot steppe summer.

Since we have chosen this institution as an example of a budget holiday, we also need to stipulate nutrition issues - there is a kitchen for self-cooking, as well as cooks who can take care of your meals during the holidays for a fee.

To show the rest of a slightly different level, let's look at the middle price segment - another example will come down guest house called "Fortune". If you got here, get ready for a huge range of room prices - you can invest in a thousand rubles, and maybe not even 3 thousand. The difference is that the rooms are fundamentally different - you can live not just in a room, but in a full-fledged apartment.

Differences in approach and organization are striking - for a fee you can agree not only on three meals a day, but also on a transfer from Simferopol. You can even choose a transfer here - a relatively modest car will bring you for 1,500 rubles, and for 2,000 you can order something a little more interesting.

A curious solution to the middle price segment is also two-star hotel "Anchor", which as an apartment offers its guests boathouses. For people who do not have an impressive experience of vacationing in Crimea, the very concept of “boathouse” may seem unfamiliar - under it lies a kind of garage for a boat located in the immediate vicinity of the water.

On the peninsula, such buildings are massively converted into housing, and Anchor offers a decent level of comfort in them - for example, your bungalow will have air conditioning and satellite TV, you can use the toilet and shower with hot water.You can cook your own meals in the spacious kitchen, barbecue grills are provided, there are lounges at the top.

Real high-class hotels in Nikolaevka are only in their infancy, but even the level of comfort (and prices) described above is not the limit for this village. A relatively expensive vacation here is possible now, and a good example of this may be three-star hotel "Orange". Rest here in the high season can cost 4 thousand rubles per day with all the amenities traditional for this type of housing.

Sanatoriums and boarding houses are a completely separate category of housing at the resort - then your vacation will be useful not only for unloading your brains, but also for general healing of the body. The specificity of such a residence is that you constantly improve your health: you are fed only wholesome food, create all the opportunities for playing sports in the fresh sea air, and the staff of the institution includes professional doctors and masseurs, thanks to whom you can attend basic procedures without leaving the territory .

About rest in Nikolaevka see in the next video.